Building Collaborative, Justice-Focused Ministries at the Community Level

In this episode, the Reverend Allison Sandlin Liles, Vicar of St. Stephen's in Hurst, Texas, sits down with the Reverend Dr. Elizabeth Mae Magill, pastor of the Small Church Collaborative which includes Rindge Congregational Church in Rindge, New Hampshire and Ashburnham Community Church in Ashburnham, Massachusetts. Liz shares her experiences leading two  “micro-congregations” and building a collaborative ministry with a neighboring church of a different denomination.

Liz  emphasizes the importance of prioritizing community engagement, including identifying local needs and organizing community-based ministries. Drawing on community organizing principles—a set of strategies that empower communities to identify and address their own issues, such as grassroots mobilization, building power, and developing leadership—Liz  has successfully empowered her congregations to become agents of change within their communities.

Liz’s success in addressing social justice issues is evident in her work on racial justice and LGBTQ+ inclusion. In Rindge, New Hampshire, she facilitated community conversations on racial justice, leading to the formation of a local group dedicated to addressing racial inequities. In Ashburnham, Massachusetts, she championed the display of a rainbow flag at the church, sparking a community conversation about LGBTQ+ inclusion and leading to the creation of a support group for LGBTQ+ seniors.

Faced with limited resources and declining membership, Liz found innovative ways to engage her community, such as organizing community meals, utilizing social media for outreach, and collaborating with existing community organizations.

This episode offers valuable insights for pastors, church leaders, and anyone interested in exploring innovative and impactful models of small church ministry.

Episode Links:

• Ashburnham Community Church in Ashburnham, MA
• First Congregational Church in Rindge, NH
• Five Loaves, Two Fish, Twelve Volunteers: Growing a Relational Food Ministry by Elizabeth Mae Magill
• Living Stones Partnership

Credits:

Music Credit: I Love to Tell the Story, Benjamin Grove, keyboard

Podcast produced by Polymnia